Non-traditional graduate degree programs appeal to working adults

Mature enough to do graduate coursework without handholding? Take a look at Fielding Graduate University.

While traditional master’s and doctoral degree programs, expensive and only taught on campus, were once the only option, today’s graduate student enjoys many non-traditional choices. Graduate programs, many of them online and reasonably priced, emerged over the last fifteen years. The most recent development, according to Joseph Schmoke, CEO at University Research & Review, LLC, is centered on competency based learning.

“The credit hour based system has been supplanted in some institutions of higher learning with a competency based system, where what you learn overshadows how much time you spend attending classes,” said Schmoke, a former university CEO. One such program is offered at Fielding Graduate University, Schmoke noted. “Fielding, in our opinion, is especially attractive to people who must continue with fulltime jobs. Our research shows their master’s and doctoral programs are best for serious, disciplined adults who can do the work without much handholding,” Schmoke remarked.

University Research & Review, a relatively new organization led by former college and university presidents, CEOs, provosts and professors, searches for institutions of higher learning that meet stringent criteria. Institutions that meet UR&R’s rigorous requirements, including reasonable cost and student endorsement among other things, are designated Best Value Schools and awarded a crystal trophy. Fielding Graduate University is one such school.

“We selected Fielding Graduate University as a 2014 Best Value School after about three months of research during which we evaluated hundreds of schools to come up with 124 nominees. Our process then dug deeper and our Selection Committee awarded sixteen institutions the Best Value School designation, Fielding among them,” said Dr. Denzil Edge, Selection Committee member.

“To those who are considering enrolling in a master’s or doctoral degree program, especially if your field of study is organizational behavior or psychology and you can work without too much handholding, we recommend you take a look at Fielding Graduate University,” Schmoke advised.

“Every prospective college student, whether recent high schools grads or adults with jobs and families, should take the time to visit our website,” said Paula Orezi, UR&R Nominating Committee member. She knows prospective college enrollees will find some good schools that won’t burden them with loads of debt after graduation. “I wish I had access to bestvaluecolleges.org when I was selecting my bachelor’s and master’s programs. My own student loan debt would be substantially less,” Ms. Orezi stated.